Table 1

Question guide used in the focus group sessions

TOPIC 1: STIGMATISATION EXPERIENCES
Opening question:
What has changed for you after you first developed schizophrenia? Tell me concrete incidences and stories that you experienced!
Further questions (alternative):
Were there situations in which you felt excluded or misunderstood? [if nec., probe: when? where? can you describe? other situations than already described?]
Did you tell other people that you had schizophrenia? [if nec., probe: whom? when? why? why not?]
How did people around you react when they found out you had schizophrenia? [if nec., probe: withdrawal, interest, gossip, support?]
TOPIC 2: CAUSES OF STIGMA
Questions (alternative):
Why, do you think, do people react in this way?
Why do people think in this way about people with schizophrenia?
In your opinion, where do these stereotypes/views come from? [if nec., probe: media, history, everyday language, lack of information?]
TOPIC 3: SUGGESTIONS FOR ANTI-STIGMA INTERVENTIONS
Questions (alternative):
What should be done about negative stereotypes/discrimination because of schizophrenia?
How would you like people to react to the fact that you have schizophrenia?
How, do you think, could these situations (described earlier) be avoided/improved?
What kind of information would be important?
Who/which groups in particular should be addressed?

Buizza et al. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2007 3:23   doi:10.1186/1745-0179-3-23